Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

Senator Staed’s Feb. 7 Newsletter

Please join Representative Tracy Ehlert and me this Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9-10 a.m. for an informal discussion about what’s on your mind. Politics, coffee, and casual conversation at Tommy’s Restaurant, 393 Edgewood Rd. NW.

From the Desk of Senator Staed

Iowa has some of the richest and most productive soil in the world. In fact, more than 85% of Iowa’s land is used for agriculture. But Iowa is faced with myriad water quality issues, including excessive nutrient loads from fertilizers and dangerously high fecal bacteria. Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources reports nearly half of our lakes and streams are “impaired.” Factory farms pollute Iowa waters because they have lax regulations compared to other industries. Current manure management plans and construction permits often don’t provide enough oversight. Iowa’s patchwork of CAFO regulations allows unacceptable amounts of nutrients to runoff into Iowa’s recreational lakes and rivers, causing algae blooms and beach closures. Polluted waters are a nightmare for local tourism, drinking water facilities, and leave Iowa taxpayers to foot the bill for restoration projects.

Bold and effective measures are needed to remedy this problem.

I am currently working on a bill addressing nutrient runoff reduction.

This week I filed my water quality bill, SF183. It’s a starting point for serious discussion and legislative action addressing one of the issues. If passed, it would:

  • Limit pollution at the source by requiring medium and large CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) to obtain NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permits under the Clean Water Act.
  • Mandate that all permitted CAFOs monitor their operations for pollution discharges and report that monitoring data to the Iowa DNR, where it will then be made publicly available.
  • EPA regulations would no longer be a “ceiling” for CAFO oversight in Iowa, allowing state regulators to decide what’s best for Iowa.
  • Ensure that when violations happen, CAFOs are responsible for damages and cleaning up their mess.

Link to Food and Water Watch research report on water quality: Food and Water Watch: Iowa Drinking Dirty Water

Addressing Iowa’s Childcare Crisis

This week, in an effort to tackle an ongoing crisis that affects Iowa’s children, families, and workers alike, my colleagues and I are turning our attention toward one of Iowa’s most persistent issues: childcare.

Childcare is one of the single-largest expenses in the monthly budget for any growing family. Full-time care for an infant, for example, can rival annual in-state tuition at one of our Regents universities. A lack of robust childcare options represents a significant barrier for parents looking to re-enter the workforce and for Iowa businesses hoping to recruit and retain the state’s top talent.

At present, there is a roughly 50,000-slot gap between Iowa’s available supply of childcare options and its current demand. And, according to data from the Center for American Progress, nearly a quarter of Iowans live in a childcare desert. For rural families, that number expands to 35%.

Simply put, there are not enough affordable and accessible childcare options in the state to adequately serve Iowa’s families.

In order to tackle Iowa’s childcare crisis, Senate Democrats are introducing a legislative package to address two critical elements of the childcare equation: lowering costs and expanding accessibility.

To start, I have signed on to co-sponsor legislation designed to help Iowans afford childcare by expanding eligibility for state assistance to thousands of working families who do not currently qualify. Raising income eligibility from 160% of the Federal Poverty Level to 200% (and up to 240% for families requiring special needs care) will help more Iowa families access childcare and lower families’ monthly costs.

Another step in expanding eligibility and accessibility involves guaranteeing state childcare assistance as families grow. To that end, I am supporting the following two proposals:

  • The first ensures that children under 18 who have a child of their own are automatically qualified to receive state childcare assistance, instead of having to rely on their parents’ income to qualify. (SF122)
  • The second allows siblings to automatically qualify, ensuring parents can continue to access childcare assistance while their family grows.

Finally, in order to address Iowa’s ongoing struggle to grow and maintain childcare capacity, I am supporting a proposal designed to raise wages for childcare workers, allowing childcare centers to maintain staffing levels, improve affordability, and expand capacity. The proposal would double investment in the state’s current Child Care Solutions Fund pilot program. For every private dollar raised from the community, the state will provide two matching dollars. Investing in our childcare workforce is critical to expanding our capacity for care and lowering costs for Iowa families.

Childcare isn’t a partisan issue. It affects folks of every demographic and ideology. Together, we can create a better deal for Iowans, provide greater economic security for Iowa families, and reduce the structural barriers for Iowa’s workers all at the same time by finally adequately addressing Iowa’s childcare crisis.

This Week in the Capitol

Juliana Pins and her mom, Amanda Ott Pins, are at the statehouse to talk about the horrific disease of Alzheimer’s. Juliana’s grandma was diagnosed in her 50s and finally had to move into a nursing home for 24-hour care.

Amanda and Juliana are asking the legislature to fund Dementia Service Specialists with an appropriation of $750,000. In 2020, more than 62,000 Iowans 65+ were living with Alzheimer’s.

Investing in Dementia Service Specialists would keep these Iowans out of a facility longer, saving the state money. A wise investment!

Thank you to Juliana and Amanda for advocating for Alzheimer’s patients and their families.

Kathy Johnson, Abbe Center’s Executive Director, discussed proposed cuts to the behavioral health funds for our community mental health centers. The Iowa Behavioral Health Association has several legislative asks, including:

  • Sustain federal block grants funding with safety net providers
  • Accelerate funding timelines to ensure the continuity of safety net services by providers unable to budget for staff beyond the current fiscal year due to a lack of certainty
  • Stay true to the model of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics and not allow restrictive “Iowa Only’ requirements
  • Reinforce Iowa’s network of nonprofit behavioral health safety net providers who serve high ratios of Medicaid members by enhancing Medicaid rates
  • Dedicate opioid settlement funds to behavioral health safety net providers

Very appreciative of Kathy and her team’s work ensuring Iowans have access to quality mental health services.

Emily Shields, Executive Director of Community Colleges of Iowa, discussed the legislative priorities for the 15 community colleges in Iowa. They are not just exceptional educational institutions but serve as economic engines for Iowa.

Three bills passed in Tuesday’s Education Committee and are now eligible for passage/debate in the full Senate:

SSB 1025 – Remote Testing Allowed for Online Students

The bill does not address many of the proctor issues or the true costs to implement remote testing with secure cameras, etc. I also voted NO because the costs to proctor these tests are passed on to public schools.

SSB 1027 – Allowing management to use levy funds for teacher recruitment/retention

[YES vote. However, this bill is a ‘Band-Aid’ to help fix the public school underfunding the past 8 years by the legislature – shifting the costs to property taxes.]

SSB 1036 – School Start Date modification

School start date is based on state fair dates. There are times that the state fair ends on a Friday, but August 23 falls late the follow week. Schools can’t get a full week of instruction into that first week of school, but under this bill they would be able to get a full week of instruction, after the state fair concludes. It also allows more flexibility to meet local needs.   [YES vote]

I LOVE our local libraries – and their staff!

Librarians Dara Schmidt, Cedar Rapids Public Library; Chris Stoner, Hiawatha Public Library; Bill Carroll, Marion Public Library; and Amanda Sand, Dubuque Public Library, told me about their crucial partnership in workforce development and career resources, and the increased usage of the food pantry in the Hiawatha location.

As community hubs, libraries fill many roles that make our lives richer.

(BTW, what book are you enjoying right now? Susan’s reading The Frozen River while I’m having fun with an old one in my personal library: “14,000 Quips and Quotes”).

Senate Democrats invited Dr. Richard L. Deming to discuss his cancer research with the caucus. Dr. Deming is the Medical Director of Mercy Cancer Center in Des Moines. Iowa has consistently ranked among the states with the highest cancer rates.

Part of our discussion centered on a comprehensive assessment of pesticide use patterns and increased cancer risk, along with the Nitrate & Health Fact sheet from the Environmental Health Sciences Research Center at Iowa’s College of Public Health.

Democrats are working on legislation to reduce cancer rates across the state, using science-based research and information.

Served on the sub-committee for SF82, relating to elections for bonds issued by a school district.

Under current law, SAVE bonds are only subject to an election if someone requests that the question of the bond be submitted to the voters. SAVE money comes from state-wide sales tax – not property tax dollars. Most of the time, schools move to issue and bond, and the bond and all the details of what that bond will be used for are put to the voters and require a simple majority approval rate.

This bill would require two – expensive elections – and require 60 percent approval for both elections before an infrastructure/SAVE bond can be issued. Another issue with the bill is time. If the bond doesn’t pass the first time, construction costs could escalate costing taxpayers’ additional money. The supermajority requirement will only delay projects, bidding up the costs to taxpayers and delaying the benefits of safe, technology-ready and right-sized facilities for students.

I was a NO vote but it passed the sub, 2 -1.

Two bills passed out of State Government:

SSB 1031

SSB 1031 is a Department of Administrative Services bill, that proposes several changes regarding state library code following government reorganization aligning the state library under DAS. The bill eliminates:

Requiring reporting of the state library’s biennial plan.

Development of a biennial unified plan of service and service delivery in coordination with the area education agencies as a required duty of the department.

The requirement that state library develop standard for “state agency libraries”. The state historical building and the Iowa Department of the Blind house the only other state agency libraries.

The term “access plus” and replaces it with the words “interlibrary loan” as the Department no longer brands the book exchange program access plus.

[I was YES vote]

SSB 1032

SSB 1032 comes from the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing and is an omnibus bill that includes some technical corrections, and some revisions to the code.

[YES vote]

How wonderful that my first opportunity to speak on the Senate floor, was to introduce refugees and immigrants to the Chamber!

“Since 2015, Refugee & Immigrant Voices in Action (RIVA) with AmeriCorps have helped more than 10,000 new Iowans access education and skills-building opportunities – strengthening communities across the state. This year RIVA AmeriCorps has 33 AmeriCorps members at 10 service sites across Iowa supporting 700+ clients –preparing them for economic success with new skills. Today 19 of those members are here at the Capitol, excited to meet with you to share the positive impact they are making in Iowa. Please give a warm Senate welcome to these AmeriCorps volunteers.”

Meeting with RIVA AmeriCorps volunteers who hail from all over the world. Thankful for the fullness of our culture due to the diversity of our citizens.

With RIVA AmeriCorps Program Manager Nafissatou Lamidi, Michelle Binam, Christina Sehna, Ghada Dahab, Mercy Thompson, and Sina Gul Hakim Khan

Learn more here: https://www.rivaiowa.org/riva-americorps

With former colleague Representative John Forbes, who is also a pharmacist. John is at the Capitol who pharmacy students who are in support of SSB 1017 relating to pharmacy benefits managers reverse auction and group insurance for public employees. We’ve passed similar legislation in the House, but it never made it through the Senate. Hopefully, this will be the year to help our small business pharmacies, especially those in rural areas (last year 30 shut their doors).

Iowa Realtors Association members from Cedar Rapids speaking with legislators about the Home Inspection Accountability Act. They are asking that inspectors be registered with the state to have some credibility with a professional association. Also talked about a bill asking for lead pipe disclosure upon sale of home.

Good to visit with the people who help many find the perfect home.

State troopers keeping the peaceful protestors back so that Moms for Liberty can hold an event. MFL is designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Served on the sub for SF141, relating to public school districts accepting cash for tickets to extracurricular activities. I now understand the issue and nuances. There’s a liability risk and a security risk in accepting cash. But there are many who have limited options and may not be able to use a card or electronic transactions. We agreed to move the bill forward for further discussion and likely an amendment.

Visiting with Zack Kucharski at the Iowa Newspaper Association legislative reception. Always impressed with Zack’s breadth of knowledge covering so many topics important to Iowans.

My first Senate floor action occurred Thursday, voting on the Senate Code of Ethics and Senate joint rules governing lobbyists.

Decoding Dyslexia Iowa is at the Capitol every year, educating legislators on what it means to be dyslexic. 15–20% of Iowans have dyslexia – a learning disability that affects reading, writing, and spelling. In fact, it’s the most common learning disability that impacts people in varying degrees.

DD has a bill this legislative cycle, SF72, to fund the Dyslexia Specialist endorsement at our universities. To be eligible, individuals must work in an Iowa school or AEA for 2 years after completing the endorsement. This structure ensures that taxpayer dollars directly impact Iowa students.

Thank you to Decoding Dyslexia Iowa Executive Director Katie Greving and board members Randy Califf and Nina Lorimor-Easley for their doggedness these past ten years in ensuring Iowa students have educators trained in best practices for teaching.

It’s important for legislators to listen to those most impacted by the bills we pass. I spoke with Erika Eckley, Iowa Public Information Board Director, concerning SSB1085. This bill changes the length of time a person can file a complaint with IPIB from 60 days to 90 days after an alleged violation of open meetings. Erika explained there are only a few cases each year that miss the 60 days window, but this means the client would have to take legal action instead of remediation.

Fantastic legislative coffee and conversation last Saturday covering a sundry of political topics.

Always appreciate hearing views from constituents on the issues that impact them personally!

Quick Updates

  • Robert Mannheimer Youth Advocacy Award Winners: Congratulations to Danika Jacobsen and Ivy Wishman who won the ACLU of Iowa’s Youth Advocacy Award! I imagine we’ll see some extraordinary young people advocating for their rights this year. If you spot them, be sure to nominate them.
  • Looking to turn your overwhelm into action? Get involved with Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. Sign up for the newsletter, login to their First Friday updates, and, volunteer for event support – intake, hospitality, even childcare.
  • Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Wild-harvested Mushroom Certification Class will return this spring, offering mushroom hunters a valuable opportunity to sharpen their identification skills, learn more about their favorite mushrooms, and connect with other hunters. The class is for those hoping to sell wild-harvested mushrooms, as sellers are legally required to complete a certification workshop to sell eight different varieties of wild-harvested mushrooms. Mandatory in-person workshops will be held March 15, March 29 and April 12, and registration is $60. Visit the Wild-harvested Mushrooms Certification website to register.
  • Become a Bald Eagle Nest Monitor: The Iowa DNR will be holding one training opportunity for people interested in becoming volunteer bald eagle nest monitors. The workshop will be held via Zoom on Feb. 9 and seats are limited. Participants are welcomed statewide but be aware that most known nests are in Polk, Johnson, Linn, and Story counties. The commitment for conducting the survey and submitting data is 8 hours from March and July each year, depending on travel time, and will require multiple visits to a nest. Visit VWMP webpage to apply.
  • The 2025 Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference will be held March 1 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event is co-led by Iowa State University, University of Illinois, and University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Services. The conference is designed specifically for forest landowners in the Midwest, but forestry professionals, consultants, volunteers, Master Naturalists, and students are all encouraged to attend. To register, visit the website or call University of Illinois Extension at 815-858-2273.